'Israel' says UK consulate in occupied East Jerusalem ‘ending activities today’

• ‘Israel’ ordered the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem to close after the UK imposed sanctions on goods from illegal ‘Israeli’ settlements.
• Britain says the building will remain open as an independent UK mission serving Palestinians, despite the removal of the consulate signage.

‘Israel’ ordered the closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, 30 days after Foreign Minister Gideon Saar gave London a deadline to shut the diplomatic mission in response to UK sanctions targeting goods produced in illegal ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Saar said the consulate would end its activities in its existing form and continue operating under limited capacity. Workers subsequently removed plaques reading “British Consulate General” and identifying the consular section from the building in Sheikh Jarrah, while the British flag remained in place.

Britain, however, said the building would not actually close.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the facility would be renamed the UK Mission, Jerusalem and would remain an independent, operational diplomatic mission serving Palestinians and continuing its work in the city.

“We do not accept that the Government of ‘Israel’ has the legal right to close the British Consulate General in Jerusalem,” Miliband said, reiterating Britain’s position that East Jerusalem is occupied territory.

Britain has temporarily withdrawn some staff and their families but said it would work to rebuild its presence at the mission in the coming months. Miliband also said London would not take reciprocal measures against ‘Israeli’ diplomats while talks between the two sides continue.

The dispute began on September 8, when Britain announced sanctions targeting illegal ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied West Bank, including a ban on imports of goods produced in those settlements.

‘Israel’ responded by ordering the British consulate to close within 30 days and by taking additional measures against British officials and organizations. France and Canada also announced measures targeting settlement-related trade but have not faced the same closure order.

The British consulate in Sheikh Jarrah has historically handled the UK’s relations with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as providing consular services to Palestinians. Britain’s embassy in Tel Aviv, which handles relations with the ‘Israeli’ government, is not affected by the order.

The dispute marks a further deterioration in relations between London and ‘Israel’, with both governments now continuing discussions over the status and operation of Britain’s diplomatic presence in Jerusalem.